Doulas of the Roundtable

Understanding breastfeeding challenges is crucial for providing effective support to new parents.

Nipple soreness, cracked or bleeding nipples, and engorgement are common challenges. Inverted nipples and delayed milk production also cause difficulties. Cluster feeding and growth spurts add to the stress. Together, these issues can make the early weeks of breastfeeding overwhelming.

Understanding why these issues happen, how they can impact the breastfeeding journey, and, most importantly, what you can do to help is an essential part of your support. In this episode, we cover practical tips and real talk about when it’s time to call an IBCLC or another breastfeeding expert. 

Join us as we discuss ways to help you navigate these early hurdles and support families with confidence and care.

Decision fatigue surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can have a profound impact on expecting and new parents. The mental load of constant decision-making can be exhausting. Doulas play a crucial role in easing the burden of decision fatigue. We provide clients with the tools and resources to make informed and confident choices. This includes breaking down complex information into digestible, easy-to-understand pieces and offering evidence-based options tailored to each client’s unique values and preferences. Doulas can also help streamline the decision-making process by prioritizing what’s most important and guiding clients through each step with reassurance and clarity. These strategies empower clients and help them feel clear-headed and more in control during a time that can feel overwhelming. At the same time, doulas may unintentionally contribute to decision fatigue by overwhelming clients with too much information. Whether you’re a new or seasoned doula, this episode will provide insights on navigating these challenges to create a more supportive and balanced experience for your clients. Tune in and learn how to strike the perfect balance, helping families make informed, confident decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

Virtual doula services emerged very quickly due to the pandemic in 2020. Necessity dictated that families who wanted the support of a doula when hospitals limited visitors receive that support virtually. Now, four years later, some doulas are still trying to build a business solely on virtual support.

Doula support, whether in person or virtually, is beneficial. Virtual support is not optimal. In season one, Episode 18, we discussed virtual support months before COVID hit. Yet today, many of the same drawbacks exist for doulas providing virtual support in 2024. 

Join us as we revisit virtual support following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, what we learned, and the drawbacks that can exist for doulas, clients, and providers.

Disappointing experiences can arise for both doulas and clients. As doulas, we must recognize how our biases may influence our perception. Furthermore, discussing these experiences with clients can affect how they interpret their birth and postpartum experiences. Therefore, we must process our feelings and biases separately from the doula-client relationship.

Clients often feel disappointed when their birth expectations aren’t met. Sometimes, labor feels different than imagined. Even if a birth goes to plan, disappointment can still occur. The postpartum period may also bring unexpected challenges for new parents, leaving them with unmet expectations.

Join us as we explore navigating disappointing experiences for doulas and clients.

The use of Cytotec, or misoprostol, in obstetrics has a complex history. Initially created to treat gastric ulcers, Cytotec also plays a critical role in reproductive health. It has been used for medical abortions, cervical ripening, and labor induction.

In this episode, we explore Cytotec's journey from its original purpose to its controversial use in childbirth. We’ll break down its benefits and potential risks. Learn more about the off-label use of medications in healthcare and how this is a widely accepted practice. Whether you're a birth worker or just curious, this episode offers key insights into Cytotec’s role in modern obstetrics.

Neurodiversity can present many unique challenges for doulas. There is no doubt that doula work demands that we be highly social and often requires deep emotional connection and physical touch.

From managing sensory sensitivities and navigating overstimulation to finding balance in high-energy environments, neurodiversity can impact the doula-client relationship and the birth experience in many potential ways. 

Sensory sensitivities may make it difficult to handle long labors in noisy, crowded hospital settings or cope with the smells and sounds that accompany birth. Overstimulation can be another challenge, as doulas may struggle to manage the emotional intensity of birth or feel overwhelmed in environments where multiple people are present.

Join us to explore strategies for navigating these obstacles, managing energy, and leveraging neurodivergent strengths to thrive in your doula practice.

There are many doula pathways regarding the structure and type of doula business that one may wish to pursue.

Some individuals may begin with a solo business model, while others may jump into the world of doula agency owners right from the start. No one doula pathway will work best for everyone. 

Regardless of the pathway that one chooses, there is often a point at which one questions whether to continue with the current structure or consider pursuing one of the other options. One of the most common questions among doulas is, "Is it time?" Is it time to transition into something more? Is now the time to downsize and streamline so that you can focus on the work that fuels your passion?

Join us as we explore the doula pathways that doulas may consider as they launch and grow their businesses.

Creating meaningful connections with your prospective clients—is a vital skill for any successful doula.

Building trust and a personal connection is essential for securing clients and providing the best support throughout their journey. Many practical strategies can be utilized to connect on a deeper level, from the first consultation to ongoing care.

Communicating with empathy creates a welcoming atmosphere. It also allows you to establish yourself as a trusted partner in your clients' birth or postpartum experiences. When meeting in a client's home, you can use context clues to initiate conversations that build rapport and trust, allowing you to understand better and support their unique needs. Things such as décor, family photos, and personal items all open pathways to genuine connection.

Join us as we explore how to create genuine connections that enhance the client experience and leave them feeling well-supported.

Universal precautions are essential to maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for both your clients and yourself. It is important for labor and postpartum doulas to understand them and how to apply them to their work.

Universal precautions for doulas include proper hand hygiene. This involves handwashing before and after client interactions, especially when touching bodily fluids. We should also understand how to use personal protective equipment. This includes knowing when and how to use gloves and masks while providing labor support. We should also know how to safely navigate exposure to bodily fluids, including amniotic fluid, blood, and other secretions. Postpartum doulas also need to know safe practices for assisting with postpartum recovery, including handling lochia and other postpartum secretions.

Join us as we explore universal precautions and discuss how to apply them to our work as doulas.

Doula availability is a topic that can cause some anxiety. Being on-call 24/7 is a significant challenge, and adapting to this lifestyle requires careful planning and boundary-setting.

Your phone is an essential lifeline to both your family and your clients. Feeling overwhelmed by the need to be available at a moment's notice is common, but there are effective ways to leverage technology to help you manage this demand. From smart scheduling apps to automated responses, we'll discuss tools that can help you set and maintain healthy boundaries.

We also explore the availability needs of labor doulas versus postpartum doulas, recognizing that each role demands a unique approach. Whether you're navigating the intense on-call nature of labor support or finding a balance in postpartum care, this episode offers practical advice and strategies to help you thrive in your doula practice.

Tune in to gain insights, tips, and support to manage your availability effectively while maintaining your well-being and providing exceptional care to your clients.